We Are a Family༘

It had been five months since my mother came home from the airport; bringing more than just her luggage. Much more than just luggage. She had brought home a fiancée and his son.

Five months ago...

"Jane!"

I felt my heart skip a beat. My mother was home! It had been eight months since I had last seen her. She was gone ten months a year... It was normally hard on me, being sixteen, but I got used to it over time. I had an older brother, James who visited me often enough to make me feel less lonely.

"Jane?!"

I looked around but I couldn't see her. Finally I saw her emerge from the crowd of people and I sighed in relief. I beamed when I saw her but that smile disappeared when a tall and handsome man appeared beside her. A younger and equally handsome man behind them.

"Mother?"

"Jane! Honey!" she greeted and she came over and hugged me tightly. "Jane this is Luke Roberts and his son Alexander."

I felt a sharp pain in my chest. These people... just who were these people to my mother? I smiled. "Nice to meet you," I said through my teeth.

"Nice to meet you too," said Luke and he took my hand and shook it. "Kathy has told me so much about you," he said and he smiled at me. It was a warm and gentle smile... but I was a bit afraid...

"Jane. This trip has been an amazing one," said my mother. I watches as she inched closer to Luke and slipped her hand into his. "I have agreed to marry this man, I hope you will be happy with someone new in your life."

My mouth opened but no words came out. Marriage? My mother? It had been seven years since my father passed away and my mother had never been with a man before since then. But someone new? In my life? In a way I liked how things were, I didn't want them to change.

"And Jane, this young man, Alex will be your new brother."

Alex walked towards me and held his hand out to me. "It's nice to meet you Jane, I hope that we can be good friends and siblings. I'm looking forwards to being your older brother."

I looked at his hand and then up at him. I folded my arms and signed "I already have an older brother."

That was my first meeting of the new people in the family.

Present...

It had been only two days since my mother and Luke went on there honeymoon. They decided it was better to do it now before their actual wedding. I was stuck at home with Luke's older son, Alexander. It was Monday morning, a new school week.

"The bathroom is free," he said as he touched my shoulder.

I looked up from my book to see him walk away. We had only one bathroom in our apartment. It was small because it had just been my mom and myself after my brother moved out. To be perfectly honest it was basically only myself living in that apartment.

"Oh by the way," said Alexander and he turned around. "Your mother called last night. She wants you to call back later on today."

I only nodded. "I'm not sure I'll be able to. I'll be home late from school so don't wait up for me to eat," I said and I returned to my book.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"It's no concern of yours," I said. "We aren't even family yet, so please don't interfere with my personal life."

"You're right. I'm sorry."

Once again I looked up from my book and watched as he entered my mother's bedroom which consisted of a bed, dresser which contained nothing inside of it and a desk. My mother had passed her room down to her soon-to-be-stepson. I felt somewhat upset about that but in a way I didn't care about it at all. I wasn't looking forward to this whole new family act.

 

Oh might be a spelling mistake

 

After school, I headed to my older brother's apartment which was only a few blocks from my high school. I knocked on the door and he opened the door, shirtless, tousled hair and pajama bottoms. "Jane?"

"Can I come inside?" I asked.

"I just woke up."

"Stupid brother. It's four in the afternoon."

"I worked the night shift," he explained. When I didn't move he sighed and he lifted his arm and I walked beneath it and entered his place.

"Why does it smell so bad?" I said noticing the awful smell. I also noticed the huge mess inside his apartment and I grimaced. "You are so unclean," I said.

"I was trying to warn you," he said simply and went to sit on the couch. He lit a cigarette and then he looked up at me. "Why are you here?" he asked.

"I don't want to be home right now. Is it okay for me to stay here the night?" I asked him.

"Yeah I don't care. You're my little sister, you're always welcome to stay whenever you want."

"I'll make dinner," I said and I smiled.

"Do as you please I'm going to sleep," he said and he dropped his head down onto the couch pillow and curled up into a little ball and closed his eyes.

"For a twenty two year old man you sure act like you're a little kid," I said and I threw another pillow at him and went to the kitchen.

As we sat for dinner he looked up at me and frowned. "Isn't there someone new at home you could be eating with?" he asked. "A new older brother?"

"He is not my brother," I said. "He's a stranger who just happens to be living in the same apartment as me," I explained. "He's not even our step brother yet."

"How old is he?"

"Twenty four. I'm pretty sure anyways. He's older than you too."

"So I'm going to be the middle child then? Great. I hate him already," he joked and then he smiled. "Just don't get attached to him Jane. I want myself to be your favorite brother forever," he said and he smirked.

"You are the only brother I will ever have," I told him.

"Good. Well anyways, you're sleeping on the couch tonight," he said and he laughed. "Don't worry there's a pullout bed and it's not too uncomfortable."

I shook my head. "Stupid brother."

In the morning I showered and changed into my school uniform. "See you James!" I called to my brother before I left.

"Bye Jane, have a good day!" he called back from his bedroom.

I climbed onto my bike and went to school. I felt my phone buzz in my pocket and I took it out and looked at it. A text message from Alexander... How did he get my number? I didn't respond. Suddenly my phone began to ring and startled me. I pulled over and flipped it open. "Yes?"

"Jane?"

"Alexander...how did you get my number?" I demanded. "I don't recall ever giving it to you. Please don't call me again on this phone," I said.

"Wait. Jane. Where were you? You didn't come home last night. If your mother knew..."

"It's none of your concern about where I was. Please excuse me, I have school. Bye."

"Wait! Jane..."

I hung up and placed my phone back in its pocket and continued on. When I got to school I saw my best friend Leann waiting for me. She smiled when she saw me.

"Morning Jane!"

"Morning," I said and I hopped off my bike.

She blushed. "You look so handsome this morning!" she said and she grinned at me.

"I'm a girl. Don't say I'm handsome."

"Then why do you look so much like a boy and like boyish things?" she asked. "I think all girls wish you were born a man."

"Do you?"

"That's a secret," she said and she beamed at me.

I remember the first time I met Leann. It was the first day of middle school and she had come from Canada and was new to an American school. She was lost and I had come across her on my way to orientation. She was rather flustered and I decided to help her. She didn't really look at me other than my face and didn't realize I was a female and mistook me as a male. But since then she and I were best friends and she was dear to me.

"Do I really look like a guy?" I asked. I had to admit that I could understand why women thought I was male. To have an older brother raise you and buy you male clothing all through out elementary school might have something to do with it; As well as having an older brother who thought you looked better with shorter hair than longer was not the best thing either. My hair didn't even touch my shoulders.

"I love your hair when it's messy," giggled Leann and she ran her fingers through my hair. "It's so short!"

I sighed and let her do what she wanted. "We have class shortly," I told her.

"I know!" she said and she grinned.

"I have basketball game after school today. Wanna come?" I asked.

"To see you play? Of course!" she said and she smiled at me.

Her smile warmed my heart. She was the one person I trusted more than anyone besides my brother. I loved her very much aside from her eccentric side. We were complete opposites... but as they say... opposites attract.

 

:0

 

I shot a total of sixteen baskets that game. The game was won by my team, the first game and win of the season. I noticed Leann, along with my brother in the stands and I waved at her. She smiled and waved back.

"Good job Jane!" she shouted, her voice muffled amongst the other shouting and screaming.

I grinned at her. At the corner of my eye I saw someone. He stuck out among the crowd of people. His dark hair, light eyes and his distinguished clothing. Alexander. Our eyes met and he frowned at me and I did too. Why was he here? How did he know all this stuff about me? My cell number and my school?

"Jane?" called one of my team mates.

"Sorry I'll be right there," I said and I quickly returned to my team so we could shake hands with our opponents.

After I changed into casual clothes and cleaned up I decided I would walk home. I saw Leann waiting for me at the gym doors exit.

"Going home?" I asked.

"Yep! Good job out there Jane. You really are a good player for the team. I think the other schools are frightened of you," she giggled. "I can see why. You're so manly."

I sighed. "I don't want to be manly..."

"It's a little too late for that," she said and she smiled at me. "Oh there's my mother! Need a ride home?"

"Nah I'll walk."

"Are you sure? Well okay... see you tomorrow Jane," she said and she went to meet her mother.

I watched her as she left. I was envious that she had a mother who was already around. I really did miss my mother when she left, though sometimes it was a relief. I walked towards the school exit and looked outside. It was snowing.

"Damn," I said and I looked in my bag for a pair of gloves.

"Jane..."

Startled I dropped my bag and looked up to see Alexander. He already had his winter coat on and was obviously waiting for me.

"Why are you here?" I demanded. "How do you know my cell number? And how do you know where I go to school?!"

"Your mother told me in case of emergency. As your older brother and temporary guardian it's my duty to make sure you are safe. By your mother's request."

"You are not my brother! I alreay have a brother who knows all that stuff! I don't need you."

"Your mother thinks lesser of your brother as a guardian."

"Why? Just because he works all the time? I am not your family so stop acting as if you are. I told you before, I don't want you interfering in my life. As to last night, I slept at my brother's apartment. I might just move in with him."

"I can't allow you to do that."

"Why the hell not? You're not my father! Nor are you my mother!"

"I am neither, you are right! But sooner or later you and I will be related by our parents marriage! I will be your brother and you wi have to listen to me while your mother and my father are away working. I have no experience with siblings but I am sure this is not how it is supposed to be. I will not have this kind of fight with you everyday so get over it!"

I bit my lip. "Fine..."

"Please come home tonight. I can drive you to school tomorrow," he said.

"No need. I walk. But fine, I'll go home with you."

"Hey Jane!"

I turned to see James. I ran to him and threw my arms around his neck. "Hey! Did you see my last basket?"

"Yeah! It was awesome! Way to go Jane! Or should I say, UGLY."

"Woah! You're so much uglier than me, stupid! Actually your apartment is way uglier and stinks like shit!"

"Don't take it out on the apartment!" he said and he made a face.

"Stupid," I laughed and I messed his hair up with my hand.

I noticed Alexander frown and turn away.

"James. I have to go now. I'm going home with Alexander," I said and I smiled at him.

"James?" said Alexander. He walked over and held his hand out to my brother and smiled. "So you are Ms.Stevenson's other child. It's nice to finally meet you."

"I'm not really a child anymore," responded James and he shook Alexander's hand. "I'm twenty two. I've heard much about you from Jane. Anyways, I best be going home now. Jane! Come around some time alright?"

"Of course!" I said and I smiled at him until he was out of sight.

"You two are close."

"We are. That's because we are brother and sister. We are blood related and grew up with one another. He basically raised me all on his own when dad died and when mom was gone for work. He's my family. The only real one I have."

"Jane... I can be your family too, you know."

"I don't want you as my family. I'm fine with just having James and Leann. They are all I need to make it through my day."

"Well maybe one day you'll think of me as your older brother too," he said. "I will wait until then," he said and he placed a hand gently on my head and patted me.

I felt my face flush a bit and then I removed his hand. "D-don't pat me!" I shouted angrily. "I'm not a dog!"

He smiled. "That's the first time I've seen you angry without it being about a family matter. Is this what a brother and sister are like?"

"Idiot. It's far from it."

In truth... that small little moment was how James and I always were when we were younger. We always made each other angry, but it was all in fun. But I wasn't going to accept him into the family that quickly. He just wasn't my family...

 



 

There was a phone call from my mother that evening.

"How are things?" she asked.

"Fine," I responded.

"We'll be home in a few months honey. Once we are then Luke and I will get married and we will have a real family," she said in a gentle tone as if she knew that this would upset me.

"What do you see in Luke that is different than what you saw in Father."

"Please don't start with me Jane. I've had a long day. I really don't want to talk about this over the phone right now. We can discuss that when we get home."

"In what? In nine months? No. I want to talk about it now."

"Jane that isn't something I want to discuss at this moment. I'm getting married whether or not you like it. Now behave until we get back. I need to go now. Good bye," she said ad she hung up. I listened to the dial tone of the phone before I put it back on its charger.

Was I selfish? To think my mother would only ever love my father?

"Jane. I'm going out," said Alexander as he took his coat out of the closet.

I looked over at him. "I don't care," I told him.

"I'll probably be home late tonight so eat with out me," he continued on and I sighed and looked away.

"I would've eaten without you anyways."

He laughed. "I wonder how long it'll take for you to see me as your older brother rather than a stranger."

"You are a stranger. I only met you a few days ago."

"Aww don't be so mean."

"Shut up."

He smiled and whispered something I couldn't hear and he waved before he left the apartment. It was quiet. Of course it was always quiet because he and I never spoke. But being totally alone in the apartment knowing that there was no one else there made it even more quiet.

"Why is it so quiet...?" I whispered as I sat down on the couch. I turned on the television and flipped through channels before turning it off. "Damn it..."

Suddenly the front door burst open and I jumped up. "What the hell?! Alexander!"

"Jane! Lets go out for dinner together!"

"What? Why?"

"You don't have to be that blunt about not wanting to..."

"Sorry but I don't feel like going out tonight. I'm fine staying at home and eating dinner here. It's what I always do anyways."

"Exactly. Try something new!" He said and he smiled at me.

I sighed. "No."

"Come on. Just once?"

I gave him a look and then stood up. "Fine. But I don't want to go anywhere fancy. Just a small eat in place."

"Not a problem," he said. "I really want you to like me."

"If you keep this up I won't."

"What?! How come?"

"It's annoying," I said quietly as I put on my jacket. "You may not think it is... but I hate it when people try to become my friend. I'm different like that."

"What do you mean? That's not a good way of being."

"What do you know? I'm just saying that I prefer to be alone and by myself. That's not such a bad thing. I'm doing well in school and have my life already planned out. There's nothing wrong with wanting to do it alone. Lets go," I said and I walked past him.

He just stood there and I turned around. "I thought we were going out," I said.

"Go alone," he said and he took off his jacket and walked to his own room.

I stood there in the doorway and looked at the ground. I had never expected that kind of response from him...